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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Good morning. Its It's a bit cool around here this morning for this thin blooded Queenslander. Well it did drop to single digits....that's cool to me!
Anyway I digress. I have gotten May's Rainbow Scrap Challenge block done just in time before the next one is due. GREEN was the colour for May.
It was a butterfly turn as well.

This years blocks are starting to look very "Rainbowy"....

Ok bring on June!
Something struck me recently when I was preparing some patterns to go out. My process is usually getting the image in my head down on paper.....sometimes they get stitched and sometimes they have gone into my stitchery alphabets and patterns and I don't get to stitch them. Whilst packaging this one....Frosty Friends...

A few of the cute Frosties just stole my heart all over again and I really felt the need to stitch a couple.

I have chosen Country Garden Thread Blue Wren (washed and tested) and it is stitching up so nicely.

I am not sure what they will become yet but they are so darn cute.....even if I do say so myself lol! I must remember to have a look see in my own pattern drawers from time to time for some more stitching projects.
I am off for a cuppa in a nice sunshiny warm spot.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

I spent yesterday getting the binding on my Robyn Pandolph Heart quilt. I also found the original pattern. Turns out it is called "Hearts Desire"....not sure if it is still available but there it is for those who asked me.

I was a bit concerned about what I could match up with regards to the binding as I had purchased the fabrics sooooo very long ago. I bought this pretty blue for another project but changed my mind....I think it works. Looks much better than the photo.

As this was the best option I had, slicing, dicing and sewing it on took place.

It took a while. I haven't bound a quilt this big for quite a while. I love seeing the little valleys the quilting makes. Aren't we blessed to be quilters.
Now some quiet hand work to stitch it in place. I really look forward to this part of the quiltmaking journey. With each little stitch observing and reflecting on your work.

Hopefully not too long away from a finished UFO of long standing and then it is back to Grandmother's Flower Garden quilting. I really want this one done this winter!
Managed to fit in some reading as well.....I enjoy Aussie author Di Morrisey and this one is turning out to be a good yarn.

Well must away as I have a "Rainbow Birthday" party to attend for our littliest Granddaughter.....my Rainbow scarf is already.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Yesterday it was my turn to have my friends in my stitching group over to my place.
I picked some of my orchids for the table....the wind was knocking them around. So I thought it would be lovely to enjoy them in a vase.

We always get out our pretty teacups when its our turn, which I love doing. After advice from a friend many years ago after she lost everything in Cyclone Tracey in Darwin, I use all my treasures....her advice "stop saving everything for THAT special day....today is special" What could be more special than good friends visiting.

Whipped up a batch of pikelets to have with delicious Aussie strawberry jam and cream.

I worked on my Gardener's Journal block......well 4 stitches is work isn't it?

So enjoyed catching up with the girls....too busy talking to snap their piccies.
On a completely different tack.....as you know, like many of you I love our natural world and I feel sick when I think of what our ridiculous addiction to plastic bags etc. is doing to our planets oceans. I use reusable shopping bags for the weekly shop but it annoyed me trying to find a solution for loose fruit and vegies instead of those plastic one time use things.....well very happy camper now!

I bought them online from www.shopnaturally.com.au
I bought the 8 pack, they come with a cute little bag to keep them in your bag, nice and handy for use.

The bags themselves are light enough not to effect the weight of your purchase and they are sheer enough for scanning at the checkout!

If the cost is prohibitive another great idea was told to me by my friend and fellow Aussie designer Vicki Knight......Vicki buys net curtaining at charity shops, chops them up and makes her vegie and fruit bags from them....love that idea.
Reusuing! Recycling! Fantastic! What do you do? Love to know.
If we all as individuals do what we can, when we can....it is no small thing folks.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Today was time for Sunday Stitchers and trying to share the stitching love around I decided to work on my much neglected Lucy Boston blocks.
DO NOT FALL OFF YOUR CHAIR CHOOKYBLUE! Lol!
This was the state of affairs when I emptied my tin...

Some single blocks, some assembled and one with cream background almost completed. That's the one I chose to work on.

I realised that I am a closet perfectionist (probably not a surprise to some) and a not very well matched stitching thread (that is visible to me) put me off and poor Lucy was abandoned in the tin. I am going to try and rematch the thread for a better fit.
I finished the almost done block....

And also got it sewn on to the assembled piece...happy camper! Just have to keep giving Lucy a turn out of the tin occasionally! However I do not think this will be a bed size quilt lol!

I also get sidetracked by other peoples pretties.... so want to make a scrappy Orange Peel quilt and seeing Lynda's cute little blocks just tempts me each time I see them.

*sigh*
A lovely day....lots of giggles and chat and we did stitch.
On the way home I just had to stop and take a piccie of these Native Golden Penda blooms which are flowering profusely all around where I live. Stunning!

They are medium size trees covered in these fist sized blooms.
I hope you have enjoyed your weekend too.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Well nothing chases away the "end of holidays" blues quite like a special visitor. Thursday my lovely friend Raewyn from NZ flew in to town and came by for a cuppa and a chat. So nice to spend time with delightful lady.

Time just flew and it seemed she had only just arrived and I was waving her off. Such a special treat.
Yesterday was Mr. R's birthday.

I took him out for coffee and cake and cooked his favourite dinner....he is so easily pleased.....rissoles with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and vegies. He loved it!
He always blows out his candles with our youngest Granddaughter who has a birthday in a few days time.
So after the dishes were done....having given the birthday boy the night off I settled down with my other Friday night stitchers over at WENDY'S at Sugarlane Quilts
I was so nearly finished this little Gardener's Journal block that I did the last little bit of stitching on it.

That done I just felt like curling up with some hand quilting. So I worked on my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.

This ticked my "keeping ufos out of the cupboard " promise I am trying hard to keep.
Sorry about the crinkly photo. I am over halfway there, quilting it very simply around each flower and centre. As it was the first ever hexie anything I had done and all the background are individual hexies it is a little difficult to hand quilt. But I am determined that it shall be done.

So that's me done for FNSI. Thank you Wendy xx
A little bit of excitement for me. My very kind and supportive friends, Fiona, Raewyn and Chookyblue are organising a Stitch-a-long to stitch my Holly Cottage Christmas quilt from my book.

I am so excited to see what fabric choices everyone makes and to have other Holly Cottage Christmas quilts in the world. You can read about it HERE or even join in!

MY NAME IS MICHELLE RIDGWAY - WELCOME TO MY BLOG

HOME OF RAG-TAG STITCHIN' DESIGNS

About Me

I love designing my own patterns which I have named Rag-tag Stitchin' designs. I design all kinds of stitcheries and applique for quilts etc. I love designing Christmas projects especially. My Husband and my Family and friends are the most important people in my life.